Clinical Pakistan humble Australia to seal series

Half-centuries from Salman Agha and Usman Khan, backed by three-wicket hauls from Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan, powered Pakistan to a 90-run win over Australia, securing a series-clinching 2-0 lead. This marks Pakistan's third successive series win at home and their first T20I bilateral series victory over Australia.

Choosing to bat, Pakistan lost Sahibzada Farhan early, but Saim Ayub's quick start provided momentum. Salman Agha accelerated aggressively, striking boundaries and a six off Matt Kuhnemann during a powerplay where Pakistan scored 72, despite Ayub falling leg-before to Cooper Connolly on the penultimate ball.

Adam Zampa dismissed Babar Azam leg-before for 2, his fifth dismissal of Azam, briefly slowing Pakistan. Agha responded by reaching his half-century and hammering three boundaries off Xavier Bartlett in the 11th over before falling to Sean Abbott for 76. At 129/4 after 14 overs, Usman Khan and Shadab Khan ensured consistent boundary-hitting, with Matthew Short's 16th over conceding two sixes.

In reply, Australia struggled from the start against Pakistan's spinners. Openers Mitch Marsh and Saim Ayub fell off successive deliveries, triggering a collapse. Cameron Green fought from one end, but wickets tumbled regularly: Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw were trapped leg-before by Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz, respectively, while Connolly was cleaned up by Shadab. Green's resistance ended in the 11th over, dismissed by Tariq.

Matthew Short offered late resistance, but lacked support. Apart from Green's attack in the powerplay's final over, Australia never settled, bowled out for 108 in the 16th over. Australia's batting faltered against spin, losing all 10 wickets to tweakers; 16 of their 18 series wickets have fallen to spin, with two run-outs.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 198/5 in 20 overs (Salman Agha 76, Usman Khan 53) beat Australia 108 in 15.4 overs (Cameron Green 35, Matthew Short 27; Abrar Ahmed 3-14, Shadab Khan 3-26) by 90 runs.